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Lewis & Clark
Two of America's greatest explorers embark on the adventure that made their names—and sealed their fates.
In 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark departed St. Louis, Missouri, for one of the greatest adventures this nation has ever known. Appointed and funded by President Jefferson himself, and led by a cadre of experts (including the famous Sacajawea), the expedition was considered a success almost before it had begun. From the start, the journey was plagued with illness, bad luck, unfriendly Indians, Lewis's chronic depression, and, to top it all, the shattering surprise of the towering Rocky Mountains and the continental divide. But despite crippling setbacks, overwhelming doubts, and the bare facts of geography itself, Lewis and Clark made it to the Pacific in 1806.
Nick Bertozzi brings the harrowing—and, at times, hilarious—journey to vivid life on the pages of this oversized black-and-white graphic novel. With his passion for history and his knack for characterization, Bertozzi has made an intimate tale of a great American epic.
In 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark departed St. Louis, Missouri, for one of the greatest adventures this nation has ever known. Appointed and funded by President Jefferson himself, and led by a cadre of experts (including the famous Sacajawea), the expedition was considered a success almost before it had begun. From the start, the journey was plagued with illness, bad luck, unfriendly Indians, Lewis's chronic depression, and, to top it all, the shattering surprise of the towering Rocky Mountains and the continental divide. But despite crippling setbacks, overwhelming doubts, and the bare facts of geography itself, Lewis and Clark made it to the Pacific in 1806.
Nick Bertozzi brings the harrowing—and, at times, hilarious—journey to vivid life on the pages of this oversized black-and-white graphic novel. With his passion for history and his knack for characterization, Bertozzi has made an intimate tale of a great American epic.
138 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
April 7, 2018
This is a take on the history of the Lewis and Clark expedition. I didn't know that Lewis went crazy at the end of his life and killed himself. He was also made the governor of the new Louisiana territory.
The art is black and white and simple drawings - not my favorite. I didn't relate much to any character. I thought it lacked a character to draw you in. Sacagawea is so famous and she is only mentioned peripherally. I would think she would have been a main character, but then no one really was. I don't feel like the story had much direction. Still, even though it's not told well, I still think it's easier to understand historical events with a story like this or a movie. It makes it more alive.
This is good for any fans of history out there.
The art is black and white and simple drawings - not my favorite. I didn't relate much to any character. I thought it lacked a character to draw you in. Sacagawea is so famous and she is only mentioned peripherally. I would think she would have been a main character, but then no one really was. I don't feel like the story had much direction. Still, even though it's not told well, I still think it's easier to understand historical events with a story like this or a movie. It makes it more alive.
This is good for any fans of history out there.
July 7, 2011
When is the Sacajawea graphic novel coming out, because I would love to see her inner-monologue. Will someone write a mommy superhero series?
July 22, 2016
Wish the panels could have been bigger, the story would have been easier to follow.
July 16, 2017
Well, I didn't like it.
I'm not familiar with Lewis & Clark and their expedition. What I knew about Sacajawea before reading came from an old episode of the Simpsons. Unfortunately, to read this graphic novel one needs to know what happened to the expedition otherwise one would be lost.
The story is very confusing and it jumps from one event to the other without explanation. After reading the graphic novel, I'm not able to summarize what happened to the two expeditioners. To be honest, the same happened when I read Bertozzi's other work, the one dedicated to the Arctic exploration. Even there, the story was confusing and jumping from one point to the other.
The panels are confusing as well: something you need to read them orizontally, sometimes you follow the normal reading order. A couple of arrows here and there would have helped.
The art is OK, I guess. Not my favorite drawing style, though. I'm not sure I'll pick up another graphic novel by Bertozzi. The two I've already read were a bit of a disappointment.
I'm not familiar with Lewis & Clark and their expedition. What I knew about Sacajawea before reading came from an old episode of the Simpsons. Unfortunately, to read this graphic novel one needs to know what happened to the expedition otherwise one would be lost.
The story is very confusing and it jumps from one event to the other without explanation. After reading the graphic novel, I'm not able to summarize what happened to the two expeditioners. To be honest, the same happened when I read Bertozzi's other work, the one dedicated to the Arctic exploration. Even there, the story was confusing and jumping from one point to the other.
The panels are confusing as well: something you need to read them orizontally, sometimes you follow the normal reading order. A couple of arrows here and there would have helped.
The art is OK, I guess. Not my favorite drawing style, though. I'm not sure I'll pick up another graphic novel by Bertozzi. The two I've already read were a bit of a disappointment.
March 4, 2011
The illustrations are wonderful and feature a clever use of horizontal panels. Some of the drawings of vast terrain are breathtaking and readers really get a sense for how treacherous the journey must have been. However, I found the story itself somewhat confusing and I wondered throughout the book how much was true and how much was fictionalized. This could have been a great companion to school curriculum had that been more clear. I also would have liked some narration to give background information on what was going on.
May 28, 2016
I'm embarrassed to admit this but I don't really know the Lewis & Clark story. I just moved to Oregon so I felt it necessary to learn. And being in graphic novel format made it much easier to do so. The way it's written made it a little difficult to see which direction the story was going because some pages went from left to right across the whole page instead of one at a time. However, it was a great introduction into the Lewis & Clark world, and it was quick to get through. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in their journey.
April 4, 2017
As a Montanan, I know rather a decent amount about Lewis and Clark - so I usually had a fairly good idea what was going on. Without that background, I might have been confused, because it does jump around a bit and is fairly choppy. It's a good thumbnail sketch of the expedition, I suppose - although by choosing to end with Lewis' later suicide, instead of their triumphant return, it ends on a very down and somber note, which seemed a little at odds with the rest. I'm not sure what that added to the story of the *expedition* itself. (Also - not enough Clark, because Clark was awesome.)
August 1, 2011
Captures the struggles of the expedition in a condensed, entertaining manner.
April 5, 2018
3.5 stars. Fun, educational, and very well drawn. Nick Bertozzi's a terrific cartoonist, although the fluctuation between two-page spreads and single-page sequences made for a few sequences that I wasn't sure how to read until the second pass through. He does a great job displaying the passage of time and grounding all the scenes in a solid physical past. Some of the scenes, such as various pages of Indian tribes, feel half-thought out. Like Bertozzi wanted to show a side of the Indians that didn't necessarily fit with the expedition's encounters.
May 14, 2013
Nick Bertozzi's "Lewis & Clark" starts out with Merriwether Lewis being awakened from his sleepy stupor by none other than President Thomas Jefferson. What ensues afterward is one exciting tale of bravery, foolishness, disease, and pure persistence as Lewis and Clark, and their cadre of 80 men go a adventure of a lifetime from St. Louis to the Oregon coast. In search of an all Pacific waterway passage, both men must contend with very real and imaginary fears; the elements including huge and nearly impassable waterfalls and rapids on the Missouri River, the Rocky Mountains, extremes in hot and cold temperatures, bartering and communicating with friendly Shoshone and not so friendly Blackfoot Indians, wild animals such as Grizzly bears, and Merriweather Lewis very real and deepening depression. Along the way, we see that Lewis's counsel on this trip Captain William Clark tempers Lewis' wild extremes in moods; in one situation with the Madan Nation, Lewis would have shot the chief for asking for guns, but it is Clark's sage advice that he should bury his pride and seek friendly terms that saves his entire entourage and mission from certain doom. Later further up the Missouri in eastern Montana, Lewis and Clark will come upon the Shoshone Nation and Sacawagea a pregnant and wise tracker who will guide them from the Missouri to the Columbia River and to the Pacific Ocean. Danger from unfriendly's both animal and Indians is never too far from these men's minds, and the idea of completing their three year round trip journey alive is always in question.
Our illustrator and writer for this graphic novel is Nick Bertozzi, and his skillfullness in presenting the intensity and pressure of the various trials is seen on the men's faces and the events. Merriweather Lewis is nearly always drawn with a menacing scowl and dark lines under his eyes. Towards the end of the book Bertozzi represents the mental illness that Lewis is slowly succumbing to in the form of an ever present "shadow" who stalks and talks to him. Lewis will take his life in 1810 via a self inflicted gun wound in a small cabin. Bertozzi's decision to illustrate the graphic novel in black and white adds to clear cut decisive moments that seem to come with every bend of the Missouri and Columbia River. Color would have added dramatic flair to the story, but Bertozzi recognized that stark contrast of black lines on white paper adds to stark choices Lewis and Clark made every day. What is refreshing in this retelling of Lewis & Clark's expedition to the Pacific is his sheer honesty in depicting the various trials and triumphs. Bertozzi justly notes that both Lewis and Clark had moments of dignity and honor, when talking to the crowds in St. Louis about their intentions (collecting species of flora, fauna, and surveying the land and rivers), and showing their egos and both men's ambitions getting in the way of each other. Violence through engagements with the unfriendly Indians is never too far away, and Lewis and Clark are often seen within the pages conniving and honestly bartering their way towards a interior northwest passage with the Native Americans. What makes this book authentic is not only the genuine depiction of the two men, but the fact that Indians are not these savage monolithic entity. Some Nations are shown as thieves, others as friendly and skillful, and others are less trusting and equally as warring as the Americans. The reader walks away from the graphic novel feeling that although this is only an illustrated account of their journey, that Nick Bertozzi has made some effort to be accountable to the facts and tell this adventurous tale with a eye towards revealing the real story.
This graphic novel would be a great introduction to an American History class. Certainly, the reluctant reader or students in reading recovery would enjoy this vivid and authentic story. Pairing this with the original journal entries of Lewis and Clark to compare narrative factual from fictional accounts by Nick Bertozzi would be a legitimate way to show students the inherent differences between primary and secondary sources. "Lewis & Clark" is suitable reading for grades 8-12. Other books for educators to explore with Social Studies and Language Arts students are "The Journals of Lewis and Clark" by Merriwether Lewis, "Lewis and Clark": the Journey of the Corps of Discovery: an Illustrated History by Dayton Duncan, and "Lewis and Clark Through Indian Eyes: Nine Indian Writers on the Legacy of the Expedition" by Alvin M. Josephy Jr.
Our illustrator and writer for this graphic novel is Nick Bertozzi, and his skillfullness in presenting the intensity and pressure of the various trials is seen on the men's faces and the events. Merriweather Lewis is nearly always drawn with a menacing scowl and dark lines under his eyes. Towards the end of the book Bertozzi represents the mental illness that Lewis is slowly succumbing to in the form of an ever present "shadow" who stalks and talks to him. Lewis will take his life in 1810 via a self inflicted gun wound in a small cabin. Bertozzi's decision to illustrate the graphic novel in black and white adds to clear cut decisive moments that seem to come with every bend of the Missouri and Columbia River. Color would have added dramatic flair to the story, but Bertozzi recognized that stark contrast of black lines on white paper adds to stark choices Lewis and Clark made every day. What is refreshing in this retelling of Lewis & Clark's expedition to the Pacific is his sheer honesty in depicting the various trials and triumphs. Bertozzi justly notes that both Lewis and Clark had moments of dignity and honor, when talking to the crowds in St. Louis about their intentions (collecting species of flora, fauna, and surveying the land and rivers), and showing their egos and both men's ambitions getting in the way of each other. Violence through engagements with the unfriendly Indians is never too far away, and Lewis and Clark are often seen within the pages conniving and honestly bartering their way towards a interior northwest passage with the Native Americans. What makes this book authentic is not only the genuine depiction of the two men, but the fact that Indians are not these savage monolithic entity. Some Nations are shown as thieves, others as friendly and skillful, and others are less trusting and equally as warring as the Americans. The reader walks away from the graphic novel feeling that although this is only an illustrated account of their journey, that Nick Bertozzi has made some effort to be accountable to the facts and tell this adventurous tale with a eye towards revealing the real story.
This graphic novel would be a great introduction to an American History class. Certainly, the reluctant reader or students in reading recovery would enjoy this vivid and authentic story. Pairing this with the original journal entries of Lewis and Clark to compare narrative factual from fictional accounts by Nick Bertozzi would be a legitimate way to show students the inherent differences between primary and secondary sources. "Lewis & Clark" is suitable reading for grades 8-12. Other books for educators to explore with Social Studies and Language Arts students are "The Journals of Lewis and Clark" by Merriwether Lewis, "Lewis and Clark": the Journey of the Corps of Discovery: an Illustrated History by Dayton Duncan, and "Lewis and Clark Through Indian Eyes: Nine Indian Writers on the Legacy of the Expedition" by Alvin M. Josephy Jr.
March 26, 2018
Having read a number of the reviews for this graphic novel, I was surprised to find that many find it confusing—I found it to be a fluid read. Bertozzi does a great job telling an epic historical story with effective black and white art, taking us across America many years ago. I was excited to join Lewis and Clark on their journey and to travel with them through time, land and rivers. Top work!
June 2, 2016
The story of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery has been told and retold hundreds of times. It's a story worth retelling--the first American expedition to cross the continent, venturing into what was unknown territory, trying to find a convenient-but-nonexistent water route to the Pacific for President Thomas Jefferson. As a history teacher, I'n always looking for new ways to tell stories myself, and in Nick Bertozzi's new graphic novel, I just got another weapon in my arsenal.
Lewis and Clark: The Greatest Adventure of All Time may be forgiven for the hyperbole in the title, because what Bertozzi delivers in this black and white graphic novel/comic book is a retelling of Lewis and Clark that's worthy of Ken Burns or Stephen Ambrose. My favorite account of their trip is Ambrose's Undaunted Courage, and it seems that Bertozzi is using that as his primary text to adapt to comic book format. Many of the details, anecdotes and asides are familiar from that work, but also the overall epic feel is similar in tone to Ambrose.
The story takes us from January 1803 through 1834, and follows the lives of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, Thomas Jefferson, Sacagawea and others as they intertwine and impact each other. The progression of their journey is familiar: old army buddies Lewis and Clark join up again to fulfill the president's wish to find a water route up the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean. Eventually of course, they find out that there isn't one, and that the Rocky Mountains are much much much bigger and more treacherous than they thought. Along the way, they make contact with tribes of Native Americans, exchanging gifts from some, running from others, and inviting many to go back to Washington D.C. to meet the "Great Father" Thomas Jefferson. Sacagawea and her husband agree to accompany the expedition, and she becomes an invaluable member of the team.
To anyone who remembers their history class, that part of their journey should be familiar. What Nick Bertozzi gets so right in this version is the relationships and in particular, the insights into the character of Meriwether Lewis. Plagued by chronic depression, he tries to self-medicate with alcohol, but eventually has to confront that depression out on the frontier. Bertozzi actually draws this depression as a character in the graphic novel--peering out from behind trees, running a few steps behind Lewis in some frames--looking like a cloudy black stick figure that is just waiting to jump on Lewis' back. It's a unique way to show his emotions, and although Lewis runs from him, and wrestles with him, he eventually calls him his friend--familiar and friendly--even as he's being led to his suicide.
Bertozzi's artwork seems crude at first--all black and white, with rough sketches around some lines, but the style grows on you over the course of the book. He's very good at facial expressions, showing the awe, the confusion, the despair that confronts these adventurers at every turn. The mountains, rivers, prairies and new animals they discover along the way are also rendered well, making it clear that Bertozzi's "crude" style is a choice, not a mark of limited ability.
By the end of the book, I was impressed all over again with their journey, with the men (and woman) involved, and with how Bertozzi was able to retell a hundreds-year old story and make it feel fresh and exciting. If you're looking for a new way to tell children or adults about the Greatest Adventure of All Time, Nick Bertozzi's book might be the way to do it.
Lewis and Clark: The Greatest Adventure of All Time may be forgiven for the hyperbole in the title, because what Bertozzi delivers in this black and white graphic novel/comic book is a retelling of Lewis and Clark that's worthy of Ken Burns or Stephen Ambrose. My favorite account of their trip is Ambrose's Undaunted Courage, and it seems that Bertozzi is using that as his primary text to adapt to comic book format. Many of the details, anecdotes and asides are familiar from that work, but also the overall epic feel is similar in tone to Ambrose.
The story takes us from January 1803 through 1834, and follows the lives of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, Thomas Jefferson, Sacagawea and others as they intertwine and impact each other. The progression of their journey is familiar: old army buddies Lewis and Clark join up again to fulfill the president's wish to find a water route up the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean. Eventually of course, they find out that there isn't one, and that the Rocky Mountains are much much much bigger and more treacherous than they thought. Along the way, they make contact with tribes of Native Americans, exchanging gifts from some, running from others, and inviting many to go back to Washington D.C. to meet the "Great Father" Thomas Jefferson. Sacagawea and her husband agree to accompany the expedition, and she becomes an invaluable member of the team.
To anyone who remembers their history class, that part of their journey should be familiar. What Nick Bertozzi gets so right in this version is the relationships and in particular, the insights into the character of Meriwether Lewis. Plagued by chronic depression, he tries to self-medicate with alcohol, but eventually has to confront that depression out on the frontier. Bertozzi actually draws this depression as a character in the graphic novel--peering out from behind trees, running a few steps behind Lewis in some frames--looking like a cloudy black stick figure that is just waiting to jump on Lewis' back. It's a unique way to show his emotions, and although Lewis runs from him, and wrestles with him, he eventually calls him his friend--familiar and friendly--even as he's being led to his suicide.
Bertozzi's artwork seems crude at first--all black and white, with rough sketches around some lines, but the style grows on you over the course of the book. He's very good at facial expressions, showing the awe, the confusion, the despair that confronts these adventurers at every turn. The mountains, rivers, prairies and new animals they discover along the way are also rendered well, making it clear that Bertozzi's "crude" style is a choice, not a mark of limited ability.
By the end of the book, I was impressed all over again with their journey, with the men (and woman) involved, and with how Bertozzi was able to retell a hundreds-year old story and make it feel fresh and exciting. If you're looking for a new way to tell children or adults about the Greatest Adventure of All Time, Nick Bertozzi's book might be the way to do it.
April 16, 2011
Reason for Reading: I enjoy Western history.
I've read a few books on Lewis & Clark before (children's books) and read many books on the expansion of the west where the Lewis & Clark story would take up a chapter so I am familiar with this story. This book is recommended for ages 12 and up but it isn't written down to a young audience, adults will enjoy it as much or more. The book of course tells the story of their epic journey from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean, in search of a viable water route. That journey was fraught with accidents, bad luck, aggressive Indians, injuries and setbacks from nature itself. Bertozzi manages to tell a fine introductory tale of this expedition and these adventurers who were full of their success before they had even started.
Bertozzi also brings to life the personalities of Lewis and Clark in a way that I haven't encountered in my previous reading. Captain William Clark is shown as the level headed partner and thus is not the one that stands out. He is always reasoning with Lewis about there plans, calming him down, and putting out the flames of discord with others. He is shown as a quiet, intelligent, reasonable, respectful man who probably kept the expedition from becoming a mess, in more ways than one. Though he was willing to have as much fun as the next guy and went along easily enough with Lewis' more thrill-seeking adventures. On the other hand, Captain Meriwether Lewis was a man with a volatile temper, quick to anger, and if not for Clark's levelheadedness may have caused some serious trouble on their adventure. Lewis was obsessed with the expedition and finding a water route to the Ocean. When coming first upon a huge waterfall and eventually hitting the Rocky Mountains he took these hits deeply and went into deep depressions, took to drink, and could not be reasoned with. When they finally made it to the Pacific Lewis was not happy as they had not made it entirely be a water route and their stay at the end dragged on because he entered a deep depression. Bertozzi also plays up a story involving Lewis, his reactions and feeling which along with many other factors may have lead to his final act of ending his life.
Done in black and white, which I always think suits historical non-fiction well, the art is kept simple without a lot of background within the frame by frame discussions of characters. Lovely backgrounds are used but when necessary and are never added clutter. The one problem I did have though, was that at times we are supposed to read horizontally across both pages and this was not always made evident. Sometimes it was obviously clear, other times the reading went down one page and started up again at the top of the other and then there were those times you were reading along and realized you should have read horizontally across both pages once you got to the top of the second page. A minor annoyance that happened to me more times than it should have. A good, interesting story, which Bertozzi has written with a fine sense of humour but not exactly a page-turner.
I've read a few books on Lewis & Clark before (children's books) and read many books on the expansion of the west where the Lewis & Clark story would take up a chapter so I am familiar with this story. This book is recommended for ages 12 and up but it isn't written down to a young audience, adults will enjoy it as much or more. The book of course tells the story of their epic journey from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean, in search of a viable water route. That journey was fraught with accidents, bad luck, aggressive Indians, injuries and setbacks from nature itself. Bertozzi manages to tell a fine introductory tale of this expedition and these adventurers who were full of their success before they had even started.
Bertozzi also brings to life the personalities of Lewis and Clark in a way that I haven't encountered in my previous reading. Captain William Clark is shown as the level headed partner and thus is not the one that stands out. He is always reasoning with Lewis about there plans, calming him down, and putting out the flames of discord with others. He is shown as a quiet, intelligent, reasonable, respectful man who probably kept the expedition from becoming a mess, in more ways than one. Though he was willing to have as much fun as the next guy and went along easily enough with Lewis' more thrill-seeking adventures. On the other hand, Captain Meriwether Lewis was a man with a volatile temper, quick to anger, and if not for Clark's levelheadedness may have caused some serious trouble on their adventure. Lewis was obsessed with the expedition and finding a water route to the Ocean. When coming first upon a huge waterfall and eventually hitting the Rocky Mountains he took these hits deeply and went into deep depressions, took to drink, and could not be reasoned with. When they finally made it to the Pacific Lewis was not happy as they had not made it entirely be a water route and their stay at the end dragged on because he entered a deep depression. Bertozzi also plays up a story involving Lewis, his reactions and feeling which along with many other factors may have lead to his final act of ending his life.
Done in black and white, which I always think suits historical non-fiction well, the art is kept simple without a lot of background within the frame by frame discussions of characters. Lovely backgrounds are used but when necessary and are never added clutter. The one problem I did have though, was that at times we are supposed to read horizontally across both pages and this was not always made evident. Sometimes it was obviously clear, other times the reading went down one page and started up again at the top of the other and then there were those times you were reading along and realized you should have read horizontally across both pages once you got to the top of the second page. A minor annoyance that happened to me more times than it should have. A good, interesting story, which Bertozzi has written with a fine sense of humour but not exactly a page-turner.
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February 25, 2016Two Graphic Novels: Book # 2
Lewis & Clark by Nick Bertozzi (c) February 15, 2011
Genre: Biography
Target Audience: Upper Primary/Intermediate
Text-to-text: This graphic novel could be incorporated when learning about Lewis and Clark or a classic american history lesson. The panels go into great detail on the trials, adversity, and outcomes that Lewis and Clark encounter on their travels. Like stated above, this text could be paired with a non-fiction informational book on the lives of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, or be a simple story that relates to a journey of adversity. The comic-strip themed pages will immediately grasp the readers attention while informing them of significant information regarding the expedition of two important pioneers.
Text-to-self: I became engaged in the story of Lewis and Clark at a young age. I desperately wanted a newfoundland breed dog and began researching. After some extensive research, I found that Lewis and Clark brought along a newfoundland dog with them on their escapades. Being able to incorporate historical evidence on this, in my opinion, profound animal, became a solid basis for my further begging. Lo and behold, we adopted a newfoundland puppy a few short months later. Being able to read about their pup helps me personally connect with this book, which is why I chose it as one of my graphic novels.
Text-to-world: We can relate this graphic novel to the real world by informing the importance of historical literature. Graphic novels are appealing to children because of the comic-like structure. This particular book is enticing to upper primary and intermediate aged children because of the mature content of Lewis and Clark. This is a unique way to get students excited and engaged about learning. It presents the information in a fun and simple way that will leave student’s wanting to continue reading.
Lewis & Clark by Nick Bertozzi (c) February 15, 2011
Genre: Biography
Target Audience: Upper Primary/Intermediate
Text-to-text: This graphic novel could be incorporated when learning about Lewis and Clark or a classic american history lesson. The panels go into great detail on the trials, adversity, and outcomes that Lewis and Clark encounter on their travels. Like stated above, this text could be paired with a non-fiction informational book on the lives of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, or be a simple story that relates to a journey of adversity. The comic-strip themed pages will immediately grasp the readers attention while informing them of significant information regarding the expedition of two important pioneers.
Text-to-self: I became engaged in the story of Lewis and Clark at a young age. I desperately wanted a newfoundland breed dog and began researching. After some extensive research, I found that Lewis and Clark brought along a newfoundland dog with them on their escapades. Being able to incorporate historical evidence on this, in my opinion, profound animal, became a solid basis for my further begging. Lo and behold, we adopted a newfoundland puppy a few short months later. Being able to read about their pup helps me personally connect with this book, which is why I chose it as one of my graphic novels.
Text-to-world: We can relate this graphic novel to the real world by informing the importance of historical literature. Graphic novels are appealing to children because of the comic-like structure. This particular book is enticing to upper primary and intermediate aged children because of the mature content of Lewis and Clark. This is a unique way to get students excited and engaged about learning. It presents the information in a fun and simple way that will leave student’s wanting to continue reading.
February 1, 2014
In Lewis & Clark, Nick Bertozzi relates the adventures of the renowned Lewis and Clark Expedition in graphic novel format, from Thomas Jefferson's initial assignment to Meriwether Lewis in Washington, D.C. and the party's final glimpse of white civilization in St. Louis, to the Pacific Ocean and back again three years later. Their journey, while at its core a scientific endeavor, would also prove invaluable in recording the locations, culture and social codes of the many Native American tribes they encountered and whose lands they traversed.
Lewis and Clark themselves are depicted as refreshingly human -- certainly not the rugged outdoorsmen or supermen one might assume the leaders of such an enterprise must be. Clark is more cautious and rational; Lewis is volatile, emotional and haunted by his own personal demons. The relative success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition is kind of amazing seen through 21st-century eyes. Although they encountered their share of hostile situations and bad luck, and were at times low on provisions, it's incredible that more men were not lost (in stark contrast to the Donner Party tragedy 42 years later). Then there is Sacagawea, the legendary Shoshone woman who served as a guide. It's important to remember that, although revered today as a heroine and a symbol of female worth and independence, she was by no means a participant by choice. Her scenes are distressing in their likely accuracy. I'm curious now to read the expedition journals myself.
Lewis and Clark themselves are depicted as refreshingly human -- certainly not the rugged outdoorsmen or supermen one might assume the leaders of such an enterprise must be. Clark is more cautious and rational; Lewis is volatile, emotional and haunted by his own personal demons. The relative success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition is kind of amazing seen through 21st-century eyes. Although they encountered their share of hostile situations and bad luck, and were at times low on provisions, it's incredible that more men were not lost (in stark contrast to the Donner Party tragedy 42 years later). Then there is Sacagawea, the legendary Shoshone woman who served as a guide. It's important to remember that, although revered today as a heroine and a symbol of female worth and independence, she was by no means a participant by choice. Her scenes are distressing in their likely accuracy. I'm curious now to read the expedition journals myself.
May 8, 2012
I decided to give this one a try after I remember it was on my to-read list, as I found it in the library today. I know about Lewis & Clark from history class but that was ages ago, so I figured this graphic novel would help me brush up on my history a bit. The overall look was very busy and it took me a bit to get used to how they laid out the design, but once I got into it, I devoured it quickly. Meriweather Lewis was sent by President Thomas Jefferson, a man he greatly respected, to find a water route from the US territories to the Pacific Ocean in 1803. Remember that this is right after the War of Independence and before the the War of 1812. So there was a lot of un-British sentiment, which was tricky as the British, French and Spanish controlled the rest of what would become the US. Luckily for Lewis and Clark, Jefferson bought the Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803, which gave the US land from St. Louis following the Mississippi all the way over to where it meets up with the Columbia River. It took them 3 years to complete the journey, and then Jefferson makes Lewis the governor of the Louisiana Territory and Clark the Secretary for Indian Affairs. Lewis seemed to have lost his sanity a bit on the trip and killed himself shortly thereafter. The author kind of left the Sacagawea story hanging a bit, not sure if that was intentional or because there was no more information on her. Recommended for ages 14+, 3 stars.
August 23, 2014
A solid illustrated retelling of Lewis and Clark's famous journey to the Pacific. Writer and illustrator Nick Bertozzi offers a little context to get us started, but his book mainly focuses on the experience of traveling through unknown lands.
Our explorers run rapids, encounter friendly and hostile Native American tribes, suffer from hunger, boredom and illness and overwinter in damp or freezing forts they've hastily built. There are occasional moments of joy or discovery, and the two lead characters exhibit a strong bond, even when Lewis battles depression, his own temper and the stress of leadership.
"Lewis and Clark" feels like a good summary of what the experience was like, and the black-and-white art is evocative, capturing everything from the swell of the landscape to the facial expressions that may determine violence or safety. The writing is strong as well, and it does a good job personalizing characters that may have been overlooked in more traditional tellings of the story, notably the tribes the group encounters and Clark's slave, York.
Our lead characters are never fully open to us--it's not always clear what motivates them beyond Lewis' personal sense of duty to President Thomas Jefferson, for whom he served as an aide. Likewise, after the group reaches the Pacific, the rest of the voyage, and its aftermath, are sketched out in a hasty montage. But I enjoyed going along for the journey, and I appreciate Bertozzi's skill in summarizing it.
Our explorers run rapids, encounter friendly and hostile Native American tribes, suffer from hunger, boredom and illness and overwinter in damp or freezing forts they've hastily built. There are occasional moments of joy or discovery, and the two lead characters exhibit a strong bond, even when Lewis battles depression, his own temper and the stress of leadership.
"Lewis and Clark" feels like a good summary of what the experience was like, and the black-and-white art is evocative, capturing everything from the swell of the landscape to the facial expressions that may determine violence or safety. The writing is strong as well, and it does a good job personalizing characters that may have been overlooked in more traditional tellings of the story, notably the tribes the group encounters and Clark's slave, York.
Our lead characters are never fully open to us--it's not always clear what motivates them beyond Lewis' personal sense of duty to President Thomas Jefferson, for whom he served as an aide. Likewise, after the group reaches the Pacific, the rest of the voyage, and its aftermath, are sketched out in a hasty montage. But I enjoyed going along for the journey, and I appreciate Bertozzi's skill in summarizing it.
July 24, 2014
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I appreciate the scope and intent of this book - as the author prefaced, it's not meant to be a replacement for history books on the expedition. Rather, it was intended to give a feel or experience of what it might have been like to be on the expedition.
The story is really a bunch of momentary vignettes - a slim scene describing what was happening at that moment in the expedition. What I found frustrating is that there really is no exposition to describe what is going on. Rather, characters quip and joke but don't really explain what they are doing at that moment. As such, it feels like it would be great for someone who has thoroughly researched the subject but every one else will feel a bit lost.
I have to admit I had a hard time understanding what was going on as a result. And the entire expedition seemed to go very fast, with small meaningless scenes of someone getting a sore foot or Indians joking at the expense of the white men.
It was perhaps successful in making me want to fill in all the massive blanks completely left out - there just seems to be so many more tales (and most much more interesting) that could have been told.
December 18, 2014
The graphic novel, “Lewis and Clark” teaches you about the journey of Lewis and Clark. It shows the opinion that the natives have on the Americans, and that they would risk their lives to try and get a hold of one of their guns.
The story also shows a clear picture of what it was like to survive traveling along French territory through Louisiana to get to Oregon country. It shows the illness that they encountered disputes and alliances with the natives, and the struggle for food.
The graphic novel shows you the harsh terrain they had to overcome on their expedition along the Missouri river. The design on the landscape is very well done, and you can always seem to tell the kind of terrain they are traveling on.
I strongly suggest this book it is interesting, educational, and fun to read all at the same time. The art being in black and white almost puts you in the old time period of the story.
The way the author differs the way characters communicate with each other shows the difficulty of trying to communicate with people of different languages.
But what I love the most about this book is the detail in the faces. It is very well done and shows lots emotion throughout the book. Everything about this book just seems to pull you into the story. It was really good to me. The people who would really like this book are those who are interested in history. If you are not that in to history you may not enjoy this book as much.
The story also shows a clear picture of what it was like to survive traveling along French territory through Louisiana to get to Oregon country. It shows the illness that they encountered disputes and alliances with the natives, and the struggle for food.
The graphic novel shows you the harsh terrain they had to overcome on their expedition along the Missouri river. The design on the landscape is very well done, and you can always seem to tell the kind of terrain they are traveling on.
I strongly suggest this book it is interesting, educational, and fun to read all at the same time. The art being in black and white almost puts you in the old time period of the story.
The way the author differs the way characters communicate with each other shows the difficulty of trying to communicate with people of different languages.
But what I love the most about this book is the detail in the faces. It is very well done and shows lots emotion throughout the book. Everything about this book just seems to pull you into the story. It was really good to me. The people who would really like this book are those who are interested in history. If you are not that in to history you may not enjoy this book as much.
November 26, 2015
It's fairly shameful that I went to a college named after these guys, and I know very little about their expedition. So when I came across this in a search for stuff for my 3rd-grader to read, I figured the least I could do was spend the hour to read it myself. It's kind of an impressionistic take on what really comes across as an astonishing trailblazing venture. The artwork and approach is quite good at conveying the sense of some of the hardships involved. There's a lot going on, with minor threads involving Clark's slave, Sacajawea, Lewis' depression, and more. It's kind of a lot to take in, along with tonal shifts (including fart gags) that are occasionally jarring. Probably the most interesting aspect, which is kind of confusingly rendered here, is all the interactions with various tribes they encountered along the way. It kind of sparked my appetite to learn a little more, and maybe pick up one of the standard histories, such as Stephen Ambrose's Undaunted Courage. And although I lament the absence of a more detailed map of the route, the book's overall design and repeated commitment to inventive double-page spread layouts made it a little more interesting than the standard graphic book.
July 12, 2011
While I'm not a huge history nut, stuff like this will usually catch my interest. Thinking about just taking a bunch of guys and going off into the unknown to see if maybe you can do something - it's pretty amazing to think that there used to be a fair amount of people willing to do that. There's a part where Jefferson says that Lewis is "everything an American would want to be" - I kind of wish that were still the case.
In any event, this is a pretty ambitious book. The storytelling works pretty well, being a mix of factual anecdotes and what I'm guessing is somewhat speculative personal episodes, but there's a lot of information to cover and things jump about a bit too much.
Likewise, the artwork alternates between long horizontal panels and the normal comic page sort of layout. This is a neat approach, but it was a bit confusing to me, because it wasn't always clear when it was happening, and usually I had already attempted to read the pages as if they were laid out normally. Still, Bertozzi's drawing is excellent as usual, and in some places he really seems to capture the essence of the expedition.
Overall, interesting, worth reading, and maybe a bit inspiring.
In any event, this is a pretty ambitious book. The storytelling works pretty well, being a mix of factual anecdotes and what I'm guessing is somewhat speculative personal episodes, but there's a lot of information to cover and things jump about a bit too much.
Likewise, the artwork alternates between long horizontal panels and the normal comic page sort of layout. This is a neat approach, but it was a bit confusing to me, because it wasn't always clear when it was happening, and usually I had already attempted to read the pages as if they were laid out normally. Still, Bertozzi's drawing is excellent as usual, and in some places he really seems to capture the essence of the expedition.
Overall, interesting, worth reading, and maybe a bit inspiring.
March 19, 2013
This graphic novel depicts the expedition of Lewis and Clark. Bertozzi decided to use pictures, in comic book style, to tell the story of these two brave men and their Corps of Discovery team. I thought that this was a really inventive way to recreate a historical event and think that older kids (middle school and up) could learn a lot from this book. Some of the humor was a bit inappropriate for younger ages but for older kids, it could be an easy way to get them more interested in learning about history. I read through this book in twenty minutes and was honestly engaged the whole time and learned a lot more than I thought I would about this exploration of the new United States. Although Bertozzi states his book is more for entertainment than historical fact, a lot of what is covered in this book stands up against other textbooks that I have looked over on the subject and it was far more interesting to read. I think that this would be a great way to incorporate fun into a subject and perhaps after giving a more "factual" lesson on the subject, adding this book in to the curriculum would be beneficial to students' knowledge.
August 16, 2012
(Note: This didn't take as long to read as it looks—I'd started it, but then got swamped by schoolwork and put it aside.)
My knowledge of the Lewis and Clark expedition is limited to what little I'd learned in school over the years (i.e., not much), so I can't speak to the historical accuracy of this graphic novel. That said, I enjoyed reading it. Not because there was anything particularly surprising or because I learned anything really new, but because (as a previous reviewer said) it gives personalities to the historical figures so that they aren't just entities anymore. I think maybe the best part about reading this is that it piqued my interest in the expedition, and makes me want to research it further myself.
The one thing that maybe bothered me a bit was that I'd sometimes turn the page, and end up somewhat uncertain as to whether I should be reading across the two pages, or down the first. Perhaps you can write that off as my relative inexperience with graphic novels/comics in general.
Full disclosure: I received the book free through Goodreads First Reads.
My knowledge of the Lewis and Clark expedition is limited to what little I'd learned in school over the years (i.e., not much), so I can't speak to the historical accuracy of this graphic novel. That said, I enjoyed reading it. Not because there was anything particularly surprising or because I learned anything really new, but because (as a previous reviewer said) it gives personalities to the historical figures so that they aren't just entities anymore. I think maybe the best part about reading this is that it piqued my interest in the expedition, and makes me want to research it further myself.
The one thing that maybe bothered me a bit was that I'd sometimes turn the page, and end up somewhat uncertain as to whether I should be reading across the two pages, or down the first. Perhaps you can write that off as my relative inexperience with graphic novels/comics in general.
Full disclosure: I received the book free through Goodreads First Reads.
December 19, 2014
Lewis and Clark is a graphic novel version of the journey of the actual Lewis and Clark. Throughout the book it explains the tale from beginning to end. It starts at the point where Lewis is asked by the president to go on the journey. Of course, they experience hardships on the way, but it includes how they got through, one of times being when Lewis was attacked by a bear. He out smarted the bear by going into the water and letting the bear be dragged away by the current while saving himself from it. Everything may be against them making it. This makes it the most important expedition in history.
My opinion on the story is I am kind of torn on it. The story line is a bit boring but I only stayed with it because the author made it quite humorous at some parts. The art work was all right. It wasn’t exactly the best, but I could understand what the pictures mean. The way the author drew the boxes made it confusing for me to know which boxes to read when. I am also not that big of a fan of reading books about history. So if you want to read it go ahead. This is just my opinion.
My opinion on the story is I am kind of torn on it. The story line is a bit boring but I only stayed with it because the author made it quite humorous at some parts. The art work was all right. It wasn’t exactly the best, but I could understand what the pictures mean. The way the author drew the boxes made it confusing for me to know which boxes to read when. I am also not that big of a fan of reading books about history. So if you want to read it go ahead. This is just my opinion.
March 21, 2012
I really enjoyed the heck out of this graphic novel. I am a cartoonist myself, so I could appreciate the humor in it, mixed with the facts. The author made this like a comic book, yet really educational. I loved his portrayal of Lewis and Clark, having read about the personalities of the two men, I think he really nailed it. It's awesome how he captured their distinct personalities. Really, these two guys were quite different individuals; Lewis was high strung, temperamental, and often troubled whereas Clark was more laid back and down to earth.
I loved his caricatures, the style, everything. I especially was impressed by how, with a totally black and white cartoon book with minimal backgrounds that Bertozzi was able to capture the spirit of the expedition. These two guys really saw a lot of stuff on their trip, and the author was able to make you believe you were really on the journey without really intricate illustrations.
Really all around a fun read.
I loved his caricatures, the style, everything. I especially was impressed by how, with a totally black and white cartoon book with minimal backgrounds that Bertozzi was able to capture the spirit of the expedition. These two guys really saw a lot of stuff on their trip, and the author was able to make you believe you were really on the journey without really intricate illustrations.
Really all around a fun read.
April 7, 2018
This would definitely be a graphic novel that could be used to get young people interested in history because there is action and humor, but it is not always easy to understand the details. Sometimes I was not sure what exactly was happening. It could have maybe used some endnotes or a timeline. Also, sometimes it wasn't clear initially when it was a two page spread that needed to be read all the way across so I needed to re-read, but that is not a huge problem.
I know his perspective was Lewis & Clark, but in this day and age, it would have been nice to consult (he may have, but it wasn't noted) and note at least one source that is from the American Indian perspective. I appreciated that all of the American Indians didn't look the same, but I didn't feel convinced that they were completely accurate representations.
The most bothersome thing for me was the pidgin English & the dialect of the French. I would have preferred one straight speech pattern to broken English.
I know his perspective was Lewis & Clark, but in this day and age, it would have been nice to consult (he may have, but it wasn't noted) and note at least one source that is from the American Indian perspective. I appreciated that all of the American Indians didn't look the same, but I didn't feel convinced that they were completely accurate representations.
The most bothersome thing for me was the pidgin English & the dialect of the French. I would have preferred one straight speech pattern to broken English.
June 15, 2015
This book had incredible illustrations (eye expressions alone often provided more context than any words) but was lacking in storyline development.
The entire journey of Lewis and Clark was probably an insurmountable task for a graphic novel. Too much history, too many events to cover to portray in this format.
If I were a better American or could remember more from my high school American History class, I probably would've enjoyed this book more. As it is, however, there was too much I didn't understand and there wasn't enough explanation of events.
The illustrations, however, put a humanitarian edge on the story. The conditions, the food, the physical toll the journey took on all involved...this would be an excellent companion to a textbook or classroom setting.
I am grateful that the author took on this novel and that it exists. It is an important part of our history and maybe it'll reach more eyes and minds because of this alternative format.
Recommended.
The entire journey of Lewis and Clark was probably an insurmountable task for a graphic novel. Too much history, too many events to cover to portray in this format.
If I were a better American or could remember more from my high school American History class, I probably would've enjoyed this book more. As it is, however, there was too much I didn't understand and there wasn't enough explanation of events.
The illustrations, however, put a humanitarian edge on the story. The conditions, the food, the physical toll the journey took on all involved...this would be an excellent companion to a textbook or classroom setting.
I am grateful that the author took on this novel and that it exists. It is an important part of our history and maybe it'll reach more eyes and minds because of this alternative format.
Recommended.
December 4, 2010
What I know about the Lewis & Clark expedition boils down to whatever cursory treatment I got in high school: Jefferson, Louisiana Purchase, two men trying to discover a waterway, Sacagawea, AMERICAN HEROES.
While this is great at filling in some of those gaps, the real strength of Bertozzi's graphic novel isn't so much in teaching readers more about the expedition as it is in making Meriwether Lewis and William Clark real people. It also makes me want to learn more about the specifics of the expedition -- I do wish there was more of a third-party narrative, explaining things that are somewhat glossed over.
Although I will likely never sate the curiosity that 'Lewis & Clark' piqued in that regard, this is a really fantastic book that I highly recommend anyone interested in history and/or graphic novels pick up.
While this is great at filling in some of those gaps, the real strength of Bertozzi's graphic novel isn't so much in teaching readers more about the expedition as it is in making Meriwether Lewis and William Clark real people. It also makes me want to learn more about the specifics of the expedition -- I do wish there was more of a third-party narrative, explaining things that are somewhat glossed over.
Although I will likely never sate the curiosity that 'Lewis & Clark' piqued in that regard, this is a really fantastic book that I highly recommend anyone interested in history and/or graphic novels pick up.
November 28, 2016
1. I found this book confusing. If you know every single thing about the Lewis and Clark Expedition it may have not been as bad. I got confused on who was who. I also was confused from page to page because the story seemed to jump around without explanation of what was going on. I felt like I was just supposed to know.
2. I learned what portage meant.
3. I've heard Beelzebub so many times but never knew that it meant Satan/Lord of the Flies (demonic fly.) Now the title of the book Lord of the Flies makes so much sense.
4. I loved this authors book Shackleton about the Antarctic explorer. It flowed better.
5. I did learn things even though it was confusing. I never knew that Lewis killed himself/was murdered. I also didn't know he became the governor of St. Louis.
6. I kind of think this would have been more successful if it was in color.
2. I learned what portage meant.
3. I've heard Beelzebub so many times but never knew that it meant Satan/Lord of the Flies (demonic fly.) Now the title of the book Lord of the Flies makes so much sense.
4. I loved this authors book Shackleton about the Antarctic explorer. It flowed better.
5. I did learn things even though it was confusing. I never knew that Lewis killed himself/was murdered. I also didn't know he became the governor of St. Louis.
6. I kind of think this would have been more successful if it was in color.
August 27, 2014
I just had to read this one after experiencing Nick Bertozzi's Shackleton. Aside from my own eyesight difficulties (so frustrated with my old eyes) and apparent inability to tell the difference between certain secondary characters, this was a wholly wonderful GN. I actually had no idea what a troubled individual Lewis was. From Bertozzi portrayal, one gets the impression that Captain Lewis struggled with what I'd categorize as depression, often a problem made worse by inactivity and alcohol. He was at his best when actively pursuing a goal/mission - the periods of boring wait-time appeared to be excruciating for him. In retrospect, one almost gets a hint of manic depression from the GN, periods of driven, elated activity followed by crippling down time. It was fascinating.
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